Towards the end of the 1980’s several rappers and their producers started to lay lyrics over dancier, “house” music.  Songs like “Rok da House” by the Beatmasters, “Turn Up the Bass” by Tyree & Kool Rock Steady, and “Yo Yo Get Funky” by Fast Eddie formed what we now refer to as Hip House.

​One of my favorites from that time period was “On The Club Tip” by King Sun. Released in March of 1989, “On The Club Tip” had a deeper groove with much better rapping and a respectable, even if now cringy, samba inspired chorus. It was an adventurous take on the Hip House genre, and I especially loved the break at the end. 

Nicolas Kasanda wa Mikalay, aka Dr. Nico, was a legendary guitarist and composer known best for his work with Le Grand Kallé et l’African Jazz or African Jazz. His solos and finger picking technique helped put Rumba, Soukous, and Congolese music on the map.
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“Kayi Kayi” was most likely recorded in 1958 and written by Kasanda.  It’s a driving number that features the vocals of both legendary singers Kallé and Rochereau. I especially adore this track for the interplay between the guitars and his wonderful solos.

Nicolas Kasanda wa Mikalay sadly passed away in 1985, but his musical output will never be forgotten. With over a thousand recordings, his work found its way across the Atlantic to the ears of Jimi Hendrix, who considered him an influence. 

​Happy Mother’s Day! 

​Guitarist and vocalist Joseph Lee Baker was born in Arkansas and as a teen played with the likes of Bukka White, Mississippi Fred MacDowell, and Charlie Rich. In the mid 60’s he found his way to Memphis and formed Moloch. Their only album was produced by Don Nix, an also obscure but key figure in the Memphis music scene and Southern rock and soul. Moloch was released on Stax subsidiary, Enterprise Records, and although it was well received, it didn’t sell many copies.

 “Going Down” is the fifth song from the record and an exciting acid blues track that showcases Baker’s abilities as a guitarist. Written by Don Nix, “Going Down” would be re-recorded and made famous a couple of years later by legendary bluesman Freddie King.
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After Moloch broke up, Baker went on to play concerts with MC5 and Iggy Pop. He also appeared on Big Star and Alex Chilton albums. As his musical career slowed down, he taught English at a rural high school outside of Memphis. In 1996 he was murdered by one of his former students in an apparent robbery gone wrong.